Changes

Guys,

I'm changing everything. Hopefully, once Blogger decides to be my friend once again, nothing will be the same. Sorry for what the blog looks like right now, but I'm getting frustrated, and my blog is just a distraction from more important things. Like my MHC project.

-C

My Day

Government office.
Everything here muted.
God forbid they speak.

You're Late.

Dear readers,

It's literally been years since I've last typed out a sad little blog post expressing my deepest desires and strangest quirks (actually, no. I have stranger quirks than those that have been posted.). I miss blogging.The main reason I signed into this account was to give my best friend T (of the newly formed yellowshoesinthecity) a boost of confidence that she greatly deserves. Her writing style is so perfectly on point and witty - not at all aloof or over the top. Altogether, she has a blog that I could read for hours. Then, for nostalgic purposes, I thought I'd visit my old blog. I heaved a great sigh and read through the posts that I cobbled together over three years ago and then I cried a bit for my vocabulary and editing skills. Man, have I wavered significantly in my ability to type a sentence. I was a little nervous to even type this out at all, but I do miss blogging a lot more than I probably should. I do have a tumblr (hubrisisterminal) that I update regularly, but it's not the same. Not at all.

Life hasn't changed as much as I secretly hoped it would. Still single. Still in Ottawa. Still a retail clerk. I'm a little bit happier since I left the last job and found a new one tricking upper-middle class citizens into buying crap furniture, but I'm still just as lost as before. My time at university is drawing quickly to a close and I always get that gripping feeling in my chest that says I'm never going to be able to stand on my own two feet. I chose a bad career. My unfailing ability to follow my heart into completely illogical decisions has once again proven that I cannot be trusted. My brain is in cahoots with my feelings and my gut is out to lunch. Economy aside, technology is proving that museums are a tricky beast. You need to have the right skill sets and experience to really fit in anywhere, and you better hope your niche is needed.

Anyways... It's late and I have an internship interview tomorrow with Heritage Canada. I'm excited, but cautiously so. I know good things don't just fall into my lap, so there's got to be a catch. Hopefully it's an insignificant one.

T - I miss you already. Have a grand time on your vacation - you deserve it.
S- we don't talk enough anymore. I miss you more than words can say. And you know me and words.

I love you all (both) for (maybe) reading this.
DFTBA,

C

My Hobby: Opening Way Too Many Links, Causing My Computer To Crash

Good evening, S!

It's Tuesday, September 1st, and I have to get through one more night of Hell on Earth before I get my day off! I am now going to refer to you, S (and you, T) as my dearly beloved readers - since I can now use the plural of the root word. Readers has a nice tone, doesn't it?

Back to the post!

Let me assure you, dear readers, that the intense link-clicking described in the title of this post doesn't necessarily result in total computer-annihilation... At least it doesn't always. Let us begin this lovely thought from the beginning.

I visit websites. I visit websites and I get interested in a lot of things in a very small amount of time. Somehow, I also have this idea in my head that if I don't open these pages and read them now, I will forever lose the ability to read these pages ever again. 'What if I forget about that article I wanted to read?!' I ponder gravely to myself. Seriously, folks, I get a little maniacal here. I mean, I actually think that I need to read all about Al Gore's recent trip to Africa to save some rare African penguin (... falsehood. It just seemed like an interesting article idea in my head)... But GOD FORBID I don't open that people.com tip about plaid being the season colour (which apparently it is. Hello '90's) before I completely engross myself in the poor endangered species. 'Who could possibly read so many articles in so little time', you might ask. 'Who can visit so many sites and sign up for so many social networking memberships that she literally has a FOLDER that tells her which user name is for which site?' Well my friends, I'm afraid that the answer is me.

This post turned into an interesting yet eerie confession of my internet addiction. It's true, 'random blog' button clickers, I do have an internet addiction. Thankfully, admittance is the first step. But hold your horses there. Seriously... Woah, there. I don't want to change my relationship with the online world! I totally enjoy succumbing to the (possibly false) information that I can access in seconds. I get on a kick of a topic I like (usually travel, museums, fashion or travel to fashionable museums) and I open tab after tab of awesomeness. 'Well what if you don't read through the articles?!' What a stupid question. I have a saved folder of links I want to go back to, of course!

Want to know my browser contents right now?

1. Museum Studies Graduate Programs Worldwide- gradschools.com

2. Graduate Program in Museum Studies: Harvard Extension School (<-- just for kicks, I swear)

3. New York University Graduate School of Science And Arts: Program in Museum Studies

4. University of North Carolina: Historical Preservation Program

5. Introduction To Museum Work- Google books

6. Museum Provision and Professionalism - Google books

7. Smithsonian: Museum Studies -Through the Looking Glass: Museums and Internet-Based Transparency (web video)

8. Improving Museum Studies - newcurator

9. colleendilen.com

10. America's 25 Most Visited Museums '09 - Forbes Traveller

11. Blogger

Don't Believe me?

Yes. I am on a graduate school finding, 'oh my god what the eff am I doing, I'll never get a job' thinking, career kick. I have stressed and paced the floor for days (I'm going to lose my deposit for my apartment with all the wear in my carpet) over whether or not I even want to attempt going for a museum job in this market. Although I'd love to bore you about my stress over museums, this is a intent-to-travel blog, so I have to assure you that many a travel clicking spree occurs.

I am tired and wish to retire to bed before dawn, so I bid you adieu. This is one of the weirdest things (but exhaustingly accurate things, might I add) that I've ever written.

Good night!

And don't forget to be awesome!

-xo

So much has happened recently, but in all reality it has meant nothing at all. Just plans. I'm looking to move downtown, I'm planning a quick trip to Toronto, I've been invited on a geneology excursion to Scotland for 2010, there is even a 2 week trip to Greece 2011 in the works... 2 of 4 things I know will happen, let's just wait and see for the remaining two.

I am currently addicted to shows like 'Departures' and 'Long way down'. Every time I'm at my father's house to do laundry, I pretty much just have the travel/national geographic network playing non stop. It can be nothing to him but an annoyance. They take me places I want to be. It is my brief period of happy for the days I'm not hanging around T and S. I find myself having short periods of 'what the hell am I doing when I could actually be LIVING' every day, and I hate it. I want to do something, not just sit around.

I want to explain my last post. It was very quickly written (as is this one), and I had honestly had enough with the situation I was in... strike that; currently in. You see, nothing much has changed since July. I have school coming up to keep me grounded. I don't feel as worthless in school because I know that it is a privilage to be there. Learning is everything. Evidentally, I feel useless at work; learning nothing and wondering if anyone even likes me at all. Every one there is fake and gossip-y. It feels like middle school (even high school had more class than this place).

I honestly don't mean to make things sound so depressing. They aren't. There are brief periods when I forget my goals and sink into the moment... long enough to not breakdown, so that's something. Money is the issue. Always money. I have my parent's genes to spend instead of hide away, and it has become a deciding factor in the happiness of my life. Long term, I mean. Do I really need that second coffee, or do I want to save that money for my long-awaited work-holiday abroad? My brain then tells me it wants coffee if I want it to stay awake enough to yell at the kids to tell them to get their asses moving and vaccum. I don't know how to get passed it. I've been saving all my loose change and things - which I am pretty proud of, but it won't get me a plane ticket to Amsterdam any time soon. Perhaps I will exercise more, drink more water and rely on my good health to get rid of my coffee cravings. The optimist in me says that I will get there some day, but the stubborn Dutch side (my mother's side) tells me I want it now, and stomps it's foot like a four year old.

My motto has become 'we'll see'

So that's exactly what we'll do.

-xo

Super serious post time!

I am VERY excited to tell all the people who mosey on by my blog that I have officially started preparations necessary to go abroad sometime in the 2010-2011 year. It will either be a work abroad 4 months OR a semester/year abroad for school. I haven't quite decided yet. I figured that the best bet was to explore the many options that I have before finalizing my decision. The majority of the research I am conducting so far is exactly how much it would cost me, how much I could get as a government grant or scholarship and how easy it would be to get a job in the countries I am researching. I have wanted this for so long, and I'm finally going to take the steps to (hopefully) make it actually happen. I feel like I can actually accomplish this. I have been in a huge unhappy rut for quite a while - never going anywhere, always feeling like I'm not actually seeing or doing anything that I want to do. I'm taking a leaf from S's book and am going after what I actually want - an opportunity to grow, enhance my technical skills before grad school, and feel part of something awesome. Who wants to work for a lousy retail outlet in a mall, when you could know that you are -at any moment - actually helping someone learn. Knowing that people get a better grasp on culture, on situations and on singular people from some little thing I've said or done gives me a thrill, and I hope to be able to pass that along.

I'm tired of being stuck in a no-win scenario

So I guess I'll have to make a new scenario for myself :\

I'll update you as I make adjustments to my plans (if anything actually ever gets done!) and I'll definitely be blogging about my adventures in the future.

Love and awesomeness,

C.

My Hobby: Looking Up Insane Mansions on Real Estate Websites

Good Evening, S!

It's Friday, June 12th, 2009, and I'm exhausted.

I actually was excited to blog because I actually have something to say! I was watching the Cup Final (yay PENS!) tonight, and talking to T, and I decided to do this thing that I do when I'm bored... This is not super well known, but I always either have a Microsoft game (FreeCell, solitaire, etc), amazon.com, or some other random pass time running in a different window when I'm doing something on the computer or talking to someone. It's both a habit and a hobby. Therefore, I decided to start series on these hobbies! Obviously this is because I can't have any down time while I'm surfing the web. (*rolls eyes*)

So the thing that I like to do when I'm especially tired, cranky, bored or sick is to go to Connecticut and other east coast state real estate sites, and look up mansions that are on the market. Usually I select the ones that easily list for over twenty eight million dollars. Unfortunately, the market has gone down with the recent economy crash, but I am quite certain that it will pick up again soon.

It sometimes is ridiculous looking at these sprawling estates. I mean, who really needs a 10 bedroom, 6 bathroom home, other than a very well facilitated youth hostel? Can you honestly imagine real estate brokers bringing a potential buyer through a house like that?

Agent: "And here we have the butler's pantry. It's about the size of a regular 1 bedroom apartment. It has lots of counter space, 5 dishwashers and a built in robotic butler. Did I mention that the robot will transport across the home in less than 5 seconds? It perceives your needs before you even think of needing them..."

Wife: "Oh but honey! The last house had THE robotic butler from the Jetsons television show (even though it was a cartoon)! We can't just settle for some regular old robotic butler. It seems kind of tacky, don't you think?"

Agent: "Well ma'am, if I may cut into the conversation, the 1st floor bar area (not to be confused with the second floor or basement bar areas) does host the world's only completely diamond countertop, as well as the bar stools used in the popular James Bond film 'Octopussy.' It also has the carpet that Elvis DIED ON. We can stroll over there now, if you'd like. It's just down the hall 1/2 a mile, and straight on into the east wing."

Husband: "Splendid."

Wife: "Indubitably."

(It should be mentioned that all imaginary insanely rich people say 'indubitably' and have monocles and constantly eat caviar while taking part in skits in my mind... They also wear a lot of furs.)

Similarly, I know T loves to look up European castles when she's bored, which I completely encourage. Castles would be the best things to live in, in my opinion. They're big and pretty and you could easily escape a major war/revolution if you had to. Conversely, you would never actually know if anything was needed for repairs unless you kept vigilant watch on your entire property. It would get a bit gruelling, I suppose...

[note: I assume that it would be semi-bad in some way for me to put up pictures of the real estate listings I found, but here is my favourite site to visit --> link <--- and you should check this out instead asap.]

I know it is kind of short, and I know it isn't my usual style of uppity writing, but in all honesty, I'm not sure how long that is going to last anymore. You see dear S, I am very tired from work, seemingly all of the time. It is with great dissatisfaction that I haul myself to the bus, supervise a bunch of kids cleaning, and return home (usually I walk, because it's cooler outside) by ten o'clock in the evening every day. It's a thankless, uninspiring job, but I think of my future travels and awesome adventures, supplemented by my awesome job in museum work, and it almost seems worth it. Enjoy the evening, S. It certainly is gorgeous out.
 

Oh! And of course, don't forget to be awesome!

-xo

What to do when you can't travel

Good morning S & T!

It's Monday, June 8th, and once again I'm sitting at my computer, wishing I could go anywhere but here.

I've been thinking of continuing my A-Z of places I'd rather be, as well as introducing other new topics to the blog, but I can never get satisfaction out of planning and researching trips I can't go on. Not anymore at least. It's kind of heart breaking to me, because other people will go on these trips and enjoy themselves and I'll be here at home, working 5 days a week with 2 non-consecutive weekend days. 

To fight the holiday blues, I've decided to compile a list of things that get me through the week. These things are all simple to-dos (because I lack the time and effort to create tough ones, plus it would probably ensure that the hard to-dos on the list are never done) which you can use to uplift yourselves when you are stuck at work, instead of on a plane to somewhere exciting. They won't be quite as good as an actual holiday, but it might just kick up your mood until you get one.

1. Take a mini trip. Mini trips have long been advertised by popular travel magazines, television shows, and even our provincial government. It's nice to know that there is life beyond the drive to and from your work. I often get nostalgic for the distinct country smell of cows (thanks to Little Rascal Ranch) and freshly mowed lawns. I honestly couldn't tell you how excited I was when I smelt barbeque just outside of my building. Recently, I grabbed my father, some Tim Hortons and some tunes and hit the road for a day to unwind. While it wasn't exactly the trip I was hoping for (my dad missed the turn to our destination, and we ended up driving in a circle instead), it was fun to pretend I was going somewhere amazing. Mini trips can be as long or short as you'd like them to be. I only took a day for my trip, but you could spend a few hours at a nice town half an hour from you that you rarely visit or spend the night in a gorgeous hotel 5 hours away. You're focusing on your own mental health, so you get to decide.

2. Grab some movies and take out. T and I made a special day to grab a movie and some food and just take a few hours to chill in the theatre. It doesn't hurt that summer blockbusters are full of gorgeous men... On another note! Renting movies, or watching movies online (not that I condone that at all, internet... plstonotbesuingme!) is sometimes just as good as going to the theatre. Put yourself into the world of the movie and hang out for a bit.

3. Read. Blogs, books, magazines; if you're at all similar to me, you can escape in a good book and completely forget the woes and worries of work. I keep up on a lot of travel blogs, fashion magazines, and have a miriad of different genres to read when I feel down. Pick out something that looks good to you and sink into it. It might just change your mood for the better. Forgetting about work is almost as good as not working at all (only you've also got the added advantage of a paycheck ;) )

4. Go for a walk. You'd be amazed about how many things you don't see when you're on the bus on your way to work. If there are fancy beaches or bike paths near your house, take a stroll and watch the sunset. Relaxation is what I'm stressing here, my friends. Life is crappy, work is crappy, but nature and architechture and fresh air will never be. Go somewhere you rarely visit: an arty place in town, a shopping center, a museum, a historical heritiage site, a swimming pool, etc.

5. Plan future vacations. I know I said I now find this a little sad to do, but it used to be one of my favourite past times. Planning future vacations and setting up bugets and schedules is a fun way to bring up your mood. I like using expedia.ca because of their options in hotels, car rentals and attractions to visit in the area. Besides that, research into a specific area, will help you in the future to plan out your actual vacation. Knowing the things to do in surrounding areas, as well as the best times to go, and other stockpiled info might just be your ticket to the vacation of your dreams.

6. Life to Laugh. Hang out with people that make you happy to be where you are. While you're at work, you have something to look forward to (like burgers at Broadways) and you'll also accomplish #7 on my list.

7. Define yourself outside of work. You are not a cashier, desk jocky or (insert your job title here), you're a person who has hobbies, friends and family. If you're lacking in one of those categories: take up something you've always wanted to do. While there, you can meet new people. It's scary, and god knows that I would be terrified if I tried, but I do believe that regular minded people could make friends whereever they go. As for the lack of family: sometimes it's a good thing, but your best friends double yourself as that little nostalgic family as well: nuclear families are not the only type anymore. Besides that, even if you're at your dream job, you're probably going to hate some aspect of it. Relieve yourself from the pressure of the work week by reminding yourself that you will have holidays, weekends and retirement to do what ever you want, when you want to. (sometimes  I aspire to get through life as quickly as possible and get to retirement. I'm not even 20 years old yet :P )

8. Makeovers! Makeover your house, your life, or yourself! A change in pace and routine is sometimes enough to give you that extra kick. What person doesn't want a clean and newly reorganized house and fresh, new makeup? You obviously can't do this too much (you have to think about you're savings if you actually want to go on vacation), but every once in a while it's time for a change.

9. Get some sleep. Sometimes the work week is too long, and you're hours outside of work are too few. Perhaps taking a couple of hours to sleep in, or taking a nap will help to re-energize your day off, so you can accomplish what you want. Nap time is sooo not only for the kindegarteners anymore. Take advantage of that fact and relax.

10. Blog. Write out your frustrations and problems, as well as your aspirations and hopes in a journal or blog. It helps. That's why I'm doing it right now. I complain to family and friends a lot, but my life is just like everyone else's. I'm pretty positive that no one expects you to go through life only relying on yourself - that can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. You're not alone, so share your troubles - people have amazing advice and pep talks sometimes, and it truely helps.

I hope this helped at least one person. I know it is a fairly limited and simple to-do list - but it was just as I promised: little things that help me. I basically create a world outside of work that I should probably expand a little, but for those hours when I'm doing something non-work related, I'm almost as happy as I would be photographing ruins on the Eastern coast of Italy. I may be squandering my prep-for-work-time right now by writing this blog, but it has helped to remind me that vacations will come eventually, but my life is actually pretty decent without them.

DFTBA, S &T.

-xo

Crete

Good Afternoon S!

It's Friday, April 17th, and I want to go on vacation.

I don't have a lot of time to post, so I'm just pulling up some pictures on Flickr of one of the places I most want to go: Crete. Sorry if this takes too long to load!

I personally would go for the ruins, the sea and the moutains... I know T would go simply to sing Mamma Mia on the beaches (I'd probably join along). Hopefully posting enough of these picture posts will inspire me to save some money so I can actually go to these places! One day.

source: karahaz

source: fofiko

source: ehpien

source: Peace Correspondent

   

 

 

(Left) source: Sandro Mancuso   (Right) source: Wolfgang Staudtsource:  Nikosp!

See you soon, S!

I am so excited that you're coming home!

Means Enlightenment Days!

Don't Forget To Be Awesome!

-xo

So Amazing It Sounds Like Make Believe

Good Evening, S!

It's Monday, April 13th and this has nothing to do with travel.

Here is an email that I sent to my Mythology Prof for a participation mark. Basically, in the class we have to either send the prof something that reminds us of myths in a cool way OR answer opinion questions about myths to get our 10% participation mark.

Hi Professor "K"!

I hope you've had a great long weekend.

I just wanted to show you something that was kind of a creative way of using mythological creatures. It seems that recently, ad companies are selling the idea of using mythology to promote their brands. The best marketing campaign I've seen yet has been the Metro PCS commercials (a cell phone company in the states). They're using marketing research to develop these commercials for their new cell phone plans around the slogan "a wireless plan so amazing, it sounds like make believe."
There are three commercials that I found (you'll need quick time):

1. Medusa & a dragon at the park: http://video.mediapost.com/index.cfm?clientfile=MetroPCSMedusa.mov

2. Mermaid & a unicorn in a hot tub: http://video.mediapost.com/index.cfm?clientfile=MetroPCSMermaid.mov 

3. Minotaur & a jackalope at a restaurant: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=53757390

Here's an article about it: http://www.screenmag.tv/seeingspots.aspx?ssid=2926

:)
"C"

You'll have to copy/paste the links because for some stupid reason, my hyperlink won't work. I sincerly hope you check these commercials out, they are awesome.

DFTBA!

-xo